The Hot List 2012

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

Song Saa Private Island

Occupying two diminutive isles off the Cambodian
coast, Song Saa Private Island enjoys splendid isolation. Your
neighbours in the archipelago are a few fishing villages, and the
animals of the rainforest. We visited before the official opening
(floods in Thailand had delayed construction by three months), but
despite initial mishaps, Song Saa looks set to seduce. Its 27
thatched villas are scattered variously over a forest-covered hill,
along the water'sedge, and above the water on stilts; they all have
secluded terraces and private pools. Original artworks and
individual design details add a distinctive touch (such as a glass
floor in the lounge area of one villa, with an aquarium view of
fish in the sea below). Meals are served at the over-water
restaurant, beside the infinity pool (or even in it), in your
villa, on the beach - and chef Neil Wager's cuisine is superb.
There's a spa, and activities include snorkelling, kayaking, and
boat trips to villages on neighbouring islands. This
really is getting away from it all, and to add to Song
Saa's honeymoon appeal, a tiny temple on a nearby island can be
used for civil wedding ceremonies or Buddhist blessings. There's a
serious environmental remit, too: a marine reserve extends 200
metres from the outer edge of the coral reefs that fringe both
islands, and a highly qualified conservation team can fill you in
on projects through which Song Saa is blazing a trail for
responsible development in the archipelago.

When to go The cool part of the dry season:
November to February.

Room to book Villa 22 offers not only a private
pool, but its own little stretch of sandy beach-terrace.

00 855 236 860360; www.songsaa.com. From US$1,902 per villa per
night, including transfers from mainland, meals, drinks (house
wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks), laundry and use of kayaks,
snorkelling gear and other resort equipment